Project Manager, Climate Action Accelerator

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Why join Harvard University Central Administration?

Harvard University's Central Administration (CADM) is a 5,000+ employee organization that supports the university's overall excellence by understanding and serving the needs of its schools, students, faculty, staff, alumni, and surrounding communities. Through dynamic and collaborative partnerships, CADM provides high-quality and efficient services to the schools to help them achieve their goals.

The Salata Institute for Climate and Sustainability at Harvard develops and promotes durable, effective, and equitable solutions to the climate change challenges confronting humanity. The Climate Action Accelerator (CAA) sits within the Salata Institute and serves as a resource and partner to the full spectrum of external stakeholders wrestling with the most difficult climate questions, building consensus for climate solutions grounded in Harvard’s research and expertise. The Accelerator is nonpartisan, agile in dealing with emerging issues, and engaged with research conducted across Harvard University. 

The Accelerator seeks a dedicated Project Manager with knowledge of climate change and sustainability issues and a passion to create and build. The Project Manager will be essential in facilitating and advancing the Accelerator’s work by providing support for its projects involving research, convenings, and external engagement initiatives. 

The Project Manager, CAA, will report to the Assistant Director, CAA, and will be a key member of our team. The ideal candidate will have experience working with stakeholders from diverse backgrounds and seniority levels and excel at identifying and managing conflict and risks. Candidates must feel comfortable both taking direction and with decision making and leading, while balancing competing priorities.  Additionally, this person must have the strong ability to effectively synthesize information to ensure shared understandings among stakeholders. 

This position has a two-year fixed term and is fully benefits-eligible.

Job-Specific Responsibilities:

• Promoting effective collaboration and communication across the Salata Institute team and with partners across Harvard University, Harvard faculty and researchers, and external partners and stakeholders. 
• Develop, manage, and maintain project plans, time frames, and roadmaps for programs in development.
• May lead the implementation of programs.
• Staffing meetings by preparing agendas and briefing materials, producing meeting notes, drafting reports, and tracking and completing meeting action items.
• Conducting research and analysis and preparing presentations, talking points, memos, web content, applications, and reports.
• Collaborating with Salata Institute Events, Communications and Development teams to advance high-impact programming.
• Monitoring progress, coordinating resources and activities, and adjusting plans when necessary.
• Resolving project issues by clarifying the issue, determining the root cause, and best solution, expediting any necessary adjustments, and ensuring a resolution. 
• Assisting in managing events such as academic symposia and conferences, including program logistics, in collaboration with other Salata Institute staff.
• Evaluating project success and usefulness, identifying areas of improvement, and ensuring that stakeholders and resources are aligned for the most effective project execution. 
• Creating and maintaining project and program documentation. 
• Supervising interns.
• Performing other duties as assigned.
• Willingness to work a few evenings throughout the academic year.

Basic Qualifications are the minimum threshold a candidate must meet in order to be considered for this role.

• Bachelor's degree
• 5 years of relevant work experience, including 3 years of project management experience

Additional Qualifications and Skills:

• Advanced degree preferred.
• Excellent writing and verbal communication skills. 
• Keen attention to detail, and the ability to work efficiently and effectively with a team and independently in a fast-paced environment. 
• Strong analytical and organizational skills; tolerance for and ability to manage several demanding projects. 
• Tact and sound judgment in interacting with a variety of stakeholders and colleagues. 
• Commitment to teamwork and excellent interpersonal skills, with the capacity to build strong professional relationships and to communicate effectively within a large organization. 
• Experience working independently at a high level; capable of thinking strategically, establishing goals, setting priorities, and implementing projects with limited direction. 

• Term Appointment: This position has a two-year fixed term and is fully benefits-eligible.
• Standard Hours/Schedule: 35 hours per week
• Visa Sponsorship: Harvard University is unable to provide visa sponsorship for this position
• Pre-Employment Screening: Harvard University requires pre-employment reference and background screenings: Identity and Education
• Other Information:
  • A cover letter is required as part of your application.
  • The position is based on the Harvard University campus, with the option to work remotely one day per week.
  • This position will have a 3-month orientation and review period.

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Work Format Details

This position has been determined by school or unit leaders that some of the duties and responsibilities can be effectively performed at a non-Harvard location. The work schedule and location will be set by the department at its discretion and based upon operational needs. When not working at a Harvard or Harvard-designated location, employees in hybrid positions must work in a Harvard registered state in compliance with the University’s Policy on Employment Outside of Massachusetts. Additional details will be discussed during the interview process. Certain visa types and funding sources may limit work location. Individuals must meet work location sponsorship requirements prior to employment.

Salary Grade and Ranges

This position is salary grade level 057. Please visit  Harvard's Salary Ranges  to view the corresponding salary range and related information. 

Benefits

Harvard offers a comprehensive benefits package that is designed to support a healthy work-life balance and your physical, mental and financial wellbeing. Because here, you are what matters. Our benefits include, but are not limited to: 

• Generous paid time off including parental leave 
• Medical, dental, and vision health insurance coverage starting on day one 
• Retirement plans with university contributions 
• Wellbeing and mental health resources 
• Support for families and caregivers 
• Professional development opportunities including tuition assistance and reimbursement 
• Commuter benefits, discounts and campus perks 

Learn more about these and additional benefits on our Benefits & Wellbeing Page. 

EEO/Non-Discrimination Commitment Statement

Harvard University is committed to equal opportunity and non-discrimination. We seek talent from all parts of society and the world, and we strive to ensure everyone at Harvard thrives. Our differences help our community advance Harvard's academic purposes.

Harvard has an equal employment opportunity policy that outlines our commitment to prohibiting discrimination on the basis of race, ethnicity, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, religion, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law or identified in the university's non-discrimination policy. Harvard's equal employment opportunity policy and non-discrimination policy help all community members participate fully in work and campus life free from harassment and discrimination.